Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Massachusetts in the Army and Navy during the war of 1861-1865, vol. 1: prelminary narrative

---

[128] 10th Mass. Battery (Lieutenant Granger) was, according to the historian of the 2d Army Corps, ‘unusually spirited;’¹ and it lost its commanding officer, Lieut. H. H. Granger; Lieut. Asa Smith, U. S. A. (4th U. S. Artillery), who was detailed to take his place, also fell. Capts. D. A. Granger and Alexander McTavish, both of the 11th Mass. Infantry, were also killed. The 11th was also actively engaged (November 5) in repelling an attack on the picket line, and was warmly praised by Col. R. MacAllister, commanding brigade, who especially complimented its adjutant, Lieut. Michael Boucher.² The 19th, 20th, 57th, 59th Infantry, 1st Cavalry (at Dinwiddie Court House) and 11th Battery were also engaged, but with small losses. The 32d, 35th and 36th Infantry and the 5th and 9th batteries were also present, but not seriously engaged.

On the Weldon Railroad expedition of December 7 and 11 the Massachusetts regiments engaged (but without loss) were the 11th, 32d, 39th Infantry, the 1st Heavy Artillery and the 5th and 11th batteries; while the 1st Cavalry lost one man at Three Creeks.

At Dabney's Mills (Hatcher's Run), Feb. 5-7, 1865, the 10th Mass. Battery also distinguished itself, repelling three Confederate charges within an hour, and firing nearly three hundred rounds, but without casualty beyond the loss of three horses. The 11th, 19th, 20th, 32d Infantry lost men, though not largely, the 37th having several wounded. Lieut. W. H. Tibbetts (19th Mass.) fell at this time.

At the daring assault of the Confederates under Lieutenant-General Gordon on Fort Stedman (March 25, 1865), capturing the fort by surprise almost without a struggle, but being driven out again, several Massachusetts regiments were involved, the 29th and 57th Infantry suffering most, but the 14th Battery somewhat, especially in prisoners, many prisoners being, however, taken on the Union side, though General McLaughlen, brigade commander, was among those captured by the Confederates. Lieut. E. B. Nye (14th Mass. Battery) was killed after refusing to surrender; and Maj. James Doherty and Lieut. A. M. Murdock (57th Mass.), with Lieut. Nathaniel Bumpus (29th Mass.), were also killed. The 29th Mass. was peculiarly fortunate in receiving medals of honor for this affair.